Notes:So here I am, with your reason and some fun, hope you enjoy. Happy reading!

Chapter 9

She did not want to go to work today, she wanted to call in sick. She felt like the school loser who didn't want to face her bullies.

This is why you don't date co-workers and why you NEVER date your boss. Hinata scolded herself.

Now embarrassingly she had to face Sasuke and at least try to explain what Happened Saturday night. That is...If she could even look him in the face again.

It wasn't even his fault that she had run from him; it was just what he said. She never wanted to be in that position again. Thank God that Ino and Hanabi had been there to stop her from having a nervous breakdown.

Some men were just animals.

"Hina breathe,' Ino said to the girl who was shaking on the ground. Wrapping a blanket around her body.

"I-I freaked out." She explained to them.

"Why, what happened?"the blond girl questioned, her eyes held a dangerous glint, if the Uchiha tried anything, he'd be without his male anatomy in the morning.

"H-H-Hidan," the name came as a whisper pass the her lips and she cringed at the sound.

But that name was all it took for them to get the drift of Hinata's state and for a while they were silent.

"You couldn't have seen him, onee-chan, he's in jail for the rest of his life. Otou-san made sure." Hanabi said.

Hinata shook her head. "I know, it's just Sasuke said "Be mine' and it was like I went back in time. To that night and I shut down."

Hinata could feel the tears in her eyes and she sniffed, she was crying.

"Oh Hina," Ino murmured wrapping her arms around the other women because she needed the comfort.

"N-n-now I don't know what to do." She felt helpless.

"You'll go to work like the strong girl you are," her blond friend said, giving her a squeeze and smile. Hanabi had left and went to the kitchen returning with a tub of vanilla ice-cream and three spoons.

Hinata gave a shaky laugh, "I hope you're right Ino-chan."

.xxxxxXxxxxx.

She's been avoiding him, Sasuke knew.

She never spent more time than necessary when she was with him, whether it was in the office, or they just happen to pass by each other on their way to another destination He knows that is he wanted to, could he pressure her but he wasn't going to do it yet. He would give her some time.

Sasuke also knew that he was extremely angry, why should he care, her asked himself that question every time. Why should he care that she was avoiding him. The moment she ran away from him, he should have dropped her like a hat. He should have forgotten everything about her and just treat her like any other employee, his personal assistant and that the only thing he need her for, was work and nothing else.

But he couldn't-he wouldn't. He was worried.

He knew something was wrong, there was a haunted look in her eyes, the same one that she had given him the night of their date. What he couldn't understand was why. They were both attracted to each other; he sees it and he feels it.

So here he was during a meeting worrying about a woman who was doing everything to keep it professional with him and he was trying to get personal with her. The Dobe would be rolling on the floor just watching him. His father too, would have a happy time pestering him.

Oh how the Great Sasuke Uchiha has fallen. He was sure his those two would say something like that.

The Uchiha couldn't even say that her attitude towards him was ruining her work, because her work was done perfectly.

No.

It was just taking a toll on him, everything about him and he wanted it to stop.

The meeting had ended and Sasuke really had no clue what went on, he could have just sold half his company and he would not have notice, and the reason was that his attention, his concern was on a blue haired, pale lavender eyed woman who was haunting him in mind, body and soul.

"Hinata," it was the first time he used her name in the office.

Everyone had just left the board room, leaving the two of them alone.

Hinata turned wide eyes to look at him. With those same haunted eyes, he noted.

"Yes sir," she answered.

She kept it professional when he just placed them inside personal boundaries. And in any other situation he would have smirked. But now...

"We need to talk about-" he was cut off by another employee who had his reports for this month.

Damn it.

Hinata looked relieved and said, "Another time Sir." She bowed her head to him and scurried off.

Knowing that she would make it hard for that to happen.

Damn it! He cursed again.

.xxxxxXxxxxx,

Hinata sighed to herself. She was a coward, but she couldn't face him. He didn't deserve her or her troubles.

Yup, coward indeed.

Hinata knew that he was upset with her, he had corner her twice already for this week and both times, she was lucky to get saved.

First that finance clerk from the meeting and yesterday when her office phone had rung. She could still feel his eyes angrily glaring before he left her and went back to his office.

Today she was off the hook because Gaara had flown in for a meeting with Sasuke and thank heavens she wasn't need. She did not want to be in the same room with those two men and their egos.

Hinata was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Gaara had come out of Sasuke's office.

"Hello, Ms. Hyūga," he greeted her.

Jumping at the intrusion to her world, she squeaked and stared mouth open at him.

"H-Hello Gaara-san. Are you leaving now?" she asked politely.

"Hai. Though I officially leave tomorrow." He told her.

Hinata nodded. "I hope you have a safe flight back."

The red head man smirked.

"I'm sure I will. But I was wondering about tonight and if I may ask that you join me for dinner?"

Hinata quickly shook her head. No way was she going on another date and definitely not with one of Sasuke's associates.

"I'm sorry Gaara-san but I have to say no," she told him.

"I see, I was hoping that we could continue our conversation that we started at the ball, before you were taking away. And you know Ms. Hyūga, it's considered very rude if you refuse me the second time. I really won't take no for an answer." Gaara said leaning confidently against the door way of her office.

Hinata laughed at his persistence. She was about to answer but Sasuke beat her to it.

"Stop harass my assistant Gaara." His voice was cold as he glared at the red head.

Gaara snorted. "I wasn't harassing her."

It was a battle of egos and Hinata sighed. "Ano, Gaara-san but I really do have to refuse. I'm busy tonight. Another time perhaps."

From the look on Sasuke's face, another time, would mean another life.

Gaara nodded. "Of course. It was nice seeing you again Ms. Hyūga," he paused and looked at the dark brooding male. "Uchiha." then turned and started to leave.

Hinata turned, readying herself for the confrontation that she knew Sasuke was going to make. So she was surprised when he just glared at her and walked back into his office without another word.

.xxxxxXxxxxx.

"Yo bastard, what's up?!' Naruto called out, when he stepped into the Uchiha's apartment.

Taking his eyes off the television screen, Sasuke scowled at the blond man.

"If you're just going to be a nuisance go away," he told him.

Grumbling Naruto sat down on the other end of the couch.

"What got your panties in a bunch? Did Hinata-chan dump your chicken ass?"

That earned the Uzumaki a punch in the face.

"Damn teme I was just joking!" He yelled.

Sasuke gave him a side glance and smirked, "So was I."

"Asshole." The blond grumbled.

"Hn."

The two sat in silence, both content with the television making the only noise.

"I need some help."

.xxxxxXxxxxx.

"Are they here yet?" Hinata asked from the kitchen.

"For the fifth time nee-chan, NO!" Hanabi shouted back from the living room, her eyes glued on the front porch waiting for a taxi to drive up.

"Oh, there plane should have landed and hour ago." Hinata said from her kitchen.

She had been fixing dinner, the moment she received a call from Neji saying that they had touchdown. So where were they?

"THEY'RE HERE!" Hanabi squealed.

And Hinata stopped what she was doing and ran straight for the door. Flying right into the arms of the man on the other side.

"Nii-san, I missed you." Hinata said planting a kiss on his cheek.

"What about me, Hina-chan. Didn't you miss me too?" A laughing voice beside her asked.

"Of course I did, Ten-chan." The blue haired girl let go of the man to hug the female brunette.

"Come on let's go eat, nee-chan cooked all our favourites." Hanabi said, pulling everyone inside.

.xxxxxXxxxxx.

"Hina, you're going to make me fat, ne." Tenten said the moment her plait was emptied for the second time.

Hinata smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"Did I! I think I'm going to pack you in m suitcase when we leave again." The brunette said.

"Ten-chan, you can't take nee-chan from me." Hanabi whined.

The brown eyed girl pouted. "We can share."

The youngest Hyūga shook her head.

"So how are things at work, Hinata?" Neji asked.

"Eh, um...things are fine." Hinata said, her eyes suddenly on her own empty plate.

"...You don't look fine." Neji countered, his eyes hard when she looked up at him. "What's wrong?"

This was her nii-san her mind told her, he knew everything when it came to her, the first movement that wasn't Hinata-like he detected it and she just had to smile, if no one else understood her, he always will.

"Ok, nii-san,"a blush appeared on her cheeks because of what she was about to confess. "I like my boss and we went on a date last Saturday and-"

"YOU WHAT?!" Neji screamed, the veins in his head around his eyes, actually started to pop out.

"Neji stop overreacting." Tenten told him, placing her hand on his shoulder.

Neji huffed but stayed silent and let Hinata continue.

After the male's outburst, Hinata considered telling him the rest of the story, knowing that his reaction would become ten times worst when he found out.

"Everything between us was going fine, until I freaked out." She explained.

"Did he do something to you, because if he did-" Hinata interrupted him.

"No nii-san, I freaked out because I thought of Hidan, so I ran away." She finished.

It had gotten silent then. Neji eyes seemed to be frozen with hatred while Tenten stretched out her hand to hold Hinata's across the table, a comforting action.

'Hinata," Neji said breaking the silence, his eyes steadily on hers. "I know that you're scared and I understand fully. But... I want you to find someone that can make you happy and protect you. I'm not saying that they aren't more sick bastards out there, granted that your boss is known to be a womanizer and I don't really trust him, especially with you... But I trust you and you know what's good for you, you always do. So all I'm going to say is trust your instincts and your heart and let those lead you in the right direction."

Hinata listened to everything Neji had told her, she knew what he said was right. She couldn't continue to hide forever. Hidan had hurt her, made her guard herself, she wanted to let go.

"Excuse me everyone, I have a call to make," she said, rushing from the dining room all the way to her bedroom.

Her target-her phone. Her victim...

"Sasuke."

.xxxxxXxxxx.

"Maybe she's scared that you're playing her." Naruto told the Uchiha. "You know...You haven't been the most...stable in that department."

Sasuke frowned at the blond man next to him, "You aren't really helping."

"Who would you rather, huh teme? Me or your old man?" the Uzumaki asked.

The raven grumbled something underneath his breath causing Naruto to grin.

"Thought so."

"Shut up."

Naruto shook his head and shrugged. "Besides if you like Hinata-chan and you think something is bothering her. Ask her and show her that you do care for her and she isn't just another fling."

That earned him a glare and Naruto held up his hands in defence.

"I'm not lying and you know it teme. You've never cared for a girl this way and you definitely don't ask for help. So you either really like her or you are in love with her.

Sasuke scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous Dobe."

"Alright..." Naruto's voice sounded non convinced. Looking at his friend one last time, he got up and headed for the door, pausing to say, "Just think about it." Then he was gone.

Replaying their conversation for what it seemed to be the fifth time, Sasuke sighed in annoyance.

Looking at his phone again, he spotted the two miss calls he received from Hinata. She had called him and he refused to pick up.

He was being childish, and his parents and brother would have been disappointed in his actions. Uchiha men didn't act like boys. But Sasuke did not want to talk to her until he got himself-his emotions-figured out.

With another sigh the Uchiha headed into his bedroom and onto his computer. There was an email and along with that email, came an idea.

.xxxxxXxxxxx.

Hinata hadn't even gotten into her office properly, before he called her into his own.

She had given him a guarded uncertain look, he didn't blame her. He'd make it up to her.

"We're going on a business trip." He said to her, his tone business like.

She nodded.

"We leave tomorrow. Pack elegantly. We have two dinners and a party to attend. If you need it, I can give you the evening free for you to get your shopping done and arrange a place for your sister if you have to."

Hinata nodded again. "Is that all sir?"

He wanted to get up and kiss her till she was weak in her knees and then continue to kiss her but he refrained himself.

You can do that later.

"No that is all. You can go." He told her.

She bowed her head, and turned without another word walked out of his office.

Sasuke watched her, until the door to his office closed.

"Hn," he smirked.

8